Lockdown

Saint Squad #2

by Traci Hunter Abramson

Only twice had she set foot inside the building since the massacre. The first time had been just a month after the tragedy .. . . The second time she had returned to the scene of the crime had been two days ago when she forced herself to enter the building to check on the temporary office for the SEAL team. The counselor she had seen in the months after the shooting had encouraged her to face her fears, but now . . . Riley wasn't sure she was ready to face them after all.
Caught up in a hostage situation that is hauntingly familiar, Riley Palmetta once more finds her life hanging in the balance. What starts out as a well-organized and highly intensive training course for the prevention of random acts of terror quickly turns into a real-life nightmare of suspense and intrigue that will test the faith and finely honed skills of Tristan Crowther and his elite group of LDS Navy SEALS. For Tristan, this is not only a race to save lives; it is a deeply personal mission that moves relentlessly toward an irreversible crisis. And life-as well as love-is on the line.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Lds, Mystery, Christian Fiction, Fiction

246 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 2009

About the author

Traci Hunter Abramson was born in Arizona, where she lived until moving to Venezuela for a study-abroad program. After graduating from Brigham Young University, she worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for several years, eventually resigning in order to raise her family. She credits the CIA with giving her a wealth of ideas as well as the skills needed to survive her children's teenage years. She is a eight-time Whitney Award winner and has written more than forty bestselling novels. For more information about Traci, click here: https://linktr.ee/traciabramson

Reviews

[Charity Bradford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great LDS Fiction I'll keep this short. One of my favorite things about Traci Hunter Abramson is that she writes clean fiction that's also exciting and suspenseful. She knows how to tug at your emotions until you're on the edge of your seat. 
 
This book was no different. Riley and the members of the SEAL team she's helping are all Latter-day Saints (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more commonly known as Mormons). Abramson doesn't make the story about their religion, but about the hostage situations in the book. 
 
The best part is Abramson used to be CIA and knows what's she's talking about with her suspense novels. It makes everything believable. 

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the romance and interaction of the couple in Lockdown. I would give that part of the story 4 stars. I guess I was expecting more action in the story. I also felt it ended too abruptly, I wanted more action near the end.

The best action scene in the story is in the middle of the story dealing with a houseboat wreck and it was very intense! I wish there would have been more of that intensity near the end.

Overall it was a good read, but Royal Target and Undercurrents are still my favorite books that Traci has written.

[L.O.V.E.D.A.R.C.Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The book contains many real and intense situations that I'm so glad we're broached. School shooters are definitely a hard topic, however, Traci did it beautifully.
I have had the opportunity to be a part of a school shooter drill at my high school, which was frightening and eye opening. I hope that as this book is read it is read with respect and understanding for those who have experienced these horrors and are still struggling with them today. My experience was very mild in comparison to the real deal and I sincerely hope that I won't ever be caught in that situation. I am in awe as I think about all who have survived a shooter situation and grieve for those who have not.
Onto a lighter subject... The love story in this book was fantastic! The chemistry between Riley and Tristan was wonderful 🤗😊. They both had the courage to work through their trials and won being together forever in the end. Throughout the book I was in suspense as I tried to guess the criminal mastermind behind it all. I'm really trying not to spoil it so all I'll say is don't get caught unawares 😉 because I certainly was ☺️. I am only on book two but I have fallen in love with the Saint Squad and can't wait to read more! I do wish that we could have seen more of the sister and the dad. The dad's relationship with Riley was rocky and I wish they had found better footing.
The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book is Christian Romance with mild kissing scenes.
Enjoy!!! 🙂

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read for me. I read this book over 10 years ago and had forgotten a lot of it. I started reading the latest book by this author (Redemption) and realized it was based on this earlier book so I went back to re-read and refresh my memory. This book sucks you in and holds you until the end. Tristan got a little too macho control freak a few times but I loved Riley’s character. Now I am anxious to read the latest book in this series.

[Chanae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why I Like Abramson's Books: I like Abramson's books because I know what to expect from them. If I'm tired and want an easy, fast paced story, with a little romance thrown in, then her books always hit the spot. They are usually predictable, the couples always get together in the end, they have LDS characters and morals and usually have something to do with FBI/CIA/NAVY SEAL stuff, and you don't necessarily have to read them in order. But, I still like them. I haven't read one yet that I can give a 4 or 5 star too. Sometimes I will give them a 3 star if I can see myself reading them again or if I especially liked the story.

Review:
Even though this book is the 2nd one in the Saint Squad Series, I read it after reading 3 other ones (not in order either). So I liked this one because I had liked the main characters I was introduced to in the other books but I got to see their story in this book. I wasn't a huge fan of the story itself. The book starts out with two points of view (Riley & Tristan's) and then halfway through the book two more points of view begin to show up. I get super bugged when books do that. It seems to happen a lot too, and usually it's a big red flag that says: "I'm the bad guy, pay attention to my devious plan..."

Again, I did like the characters though, and I am completely satisfied with it - it met all of the expectations. So while I probably won't read this one again unless I'm super desperate and just need to zone out, I am glad that I read it.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one as much as the others. We were stationed in Virginia during the Virginia Tech shooting and have read a lot about the insident, so it was interesting to read a book loosley based on that event. I liked Riley and Tristan and was glad that this book focused more on the two of them and less on the other characters (something that really bothered me in Crossfire). Overall, I enjoyed the story and it kept my interest throughout.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved this series! For me these books pulled me in right away and were hard to put down - or quit listening too. I loved the characters and their sense of duty and love and support for each other even outside of work. They were family. Growing up with my dad serving in the military, there were some who you served with that became your family and it had a feeling of home I remember.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in less than a day. I really had to finish it. A good read for sure. (luckily I had a day off to do that today!)

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating 3.4
This was just a fun read with enough of a story to keep me interested. It is the second in a series called the Saint Squad and is a nice variation from the books I usually read. Traci Abramson writes clean books with a good story and isn't too deep to enjoy. Sometimes I need a book like this to just kick back and enjoy. Ms Abramson was in the CIA and her background lends authenticity to her stories and makes them more exciting.

Summary:
Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.

As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is overwhelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets—and becomes one of—the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost.

But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam.

The Women is the story of one woman gone to war, but it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way and whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.

[Kim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I really need to not start a Traci Hunter Abramson book if I have other things to do. They are just too hard to put down, even though I have already read the first few books in the series. (It has been long enough, that I only have vague memories -- not really any specific details.) I didn't like this one quite as well as Freefall -- there was something about the ending that I didn't quite like, that I couldn't put my finger on. However, it was a gripping story and I am really enjoying the series.

[Camilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was even better than the first Saint Squad story, because both protagonists had significant growth and trials to undergo. They both emerged stronger in the end, which made their conclusion all the more satisfying. The subject matter was a little hard to endure because it's so tragic and relatable, but Abramson did a respectful job of only using elements that would be helpful to the plot and not overly dwelling on the tragedy or the trauma.

[Jessica Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite sure how I felt about this book. I haven't read it in a while - but I remember that it almost felt TOO real to me (since it was written after real events.) I will re-read it to see if I will change my review!

Just finished it again. I still feel the same. :) It’s SO real! But I’m glad it was written and I love THA. This just isn’t one I can read over and over.

After reading it again 😂, one thing I don’t love about it is the confusion of who the bad guys all are. I know it’s supposed to be secret, but it’s confusing between the dad, the therapist, the gambling addicts, the gambling boss and the end surprise bad guy. There are a lot of “he’s“ that are just confusing to me. Even having read it before. I know I’m not explaining this well, so I’m not judging the book 😆.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abramson is a proven LDS thriller writer. In her latest series, she follows the Saint Squad, a group of LDS Navy Seals as they fight in various assignments around the world. In Lockdown they battle the growing domestic problem of random school shootings. With the help of school official and survivor Riley Palmetta the team takes on a real life shooting, but team member Tristan Crowther has more at stake than his life as he realizes his growing attraction to Riley. Not a bad thriller as far as LDS thrillers go.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book deals with a difficult subject. It seems that weekly there are stories in the news of school shootings (or at the nursing home, post office, etc.). I thought the author did a good job of creating an intense story out of a hard-to-deal with situation. Of course, it helps when the story has some romance and mystery to it as well.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only went a quarter of the way through... This is not a suspense, action, spy...anything book. It's a romance novel... well, it fails at that too. I don't know how you could fit any more "they suddenly found themselves...." into one story! For a special task force with the responsibility of protecting people be predicting human behavior they certainly surprise their selves a lot!

[Samantha Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Saint Squad will always be one of my favorite contemporary series. Each character has their own unique personality and each book targets a specific incident that, while terrifying, helps bring home the reality that real people have experiences like these.

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books! I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a great job.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Series focuses on Tristan, a Southern boy on the Saints Squad. His counter part is Riley - a graduate student that was one of 3 that survived a massacre at her college 2 years ago. The Squad's job at this time is to teach the schools, community and those responsible for keeping all that safe, organized training courses to help these leaders know how to handle emergencies regarding mass shootings in the public. Riley, in working hand-in-hand with the Saints Squad, now has to face her demon of returning to the building that she was in 2 years ago in the shooting. The Squad's offices are set up in that building. Tristan is working closely with Riley and he notices that she is affected and different when she enters that building - she doesn't want anyone to know that she was there and survived that ordeal. Tristan works hard to find out what is bothering Riley. On the other hand of stories, they have their mock training experiences that go very well, but have trouble with the mayor who thinks the SEALS are too high on themselves until...there is an incident at the high school. A lone shooter and the SEALS handle that smoothly in which the mayor is grateful and changed his tune regarding the SEALS. Now the mystery unravels more as we find out why the student went to his school to shoot his father, what does this have to do with Riley who is drugged and almost dies, and we find that Tristan and Riley are able to work through her problems and the problems of falling in love with a Navy SEAL and all that implies. I like the women that are in this series - they are strong, educated, confident women that have a lot to offer and aren't afraid to be strong and yet be loving and caring. Great balance.

[Sue Ellen Melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

People dealt with the horrible tragedy at Virginia Tech in different way, author Tracy Hunter Abramson handled it by writing book 2 in her Saint Squad series. In this one, while working with shooting survivor Riley Palmeta to develop a training for law enforcement to better handle future mass shootings, Navy Seal Tristan Kroder of the Saint Squad, a unit composed entirly of members of the Church. Of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints meet and form an immediate connection of friendship that grows as they work together into something more, but in order to move forward they will have to overcome not only their own personal deamons but a threat that will threaten to derail more than just their love but their lives as well. This book had the perfect balance of pure romance and impossible to put down suspense without being over the top graphic in any way shape or form. I look forward to continuing the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many plot holes. I never grasped why the SEALs were even there.

I couldn’t even imagine any law enforcement agency going along with an active shooter training that put theater students in a role of pretending to be victims-and then told 911 not to respond to calls for distress! I was so sure the plot was going to be that a real active shooter capitalized on it. In fact, the direction Abramson did go was much less believable, and in fact was so convoluted I was rolling my eyes.

Then for some reason the really bad bad guy completely lost his mind at the end of the book and revealed himself in a way that seemed out of character. I think the Saint Squad should have had to work a little harder to figure out who was involved.

[Tabitha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was especially difficult to read with the school shootings that have happened in an increasing amount over the past few decades. So, just a warning, if you don't want details, don't read. However, this story was tastefully told, with parallels and applications to many well known events in our country's recent history. As always, a well told story with twists and turns and page turning intrigue. Clean romantic suspense, appropriate, though maybe not for younger teens with the subject matter, but even they have knowledge of school shooting details.
Brings up a lot of good points.
Definitely recommend.

[Alicia Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The entire Saint Squad series is fantastic. I particularly loved Lockdown because of the insight it gave us into mindset of both the teenage perpetrator and the victims in shooting scenarios. I loved that Riley was inspired to take her trauma and turn it into a way to make the world a better place by training various authorities in different shooting situations. And all of the members of the Saint Squad are just wonderful.

If you enjoyed this book, you’ll love the follow up in Redemption (Saint Squad #11)!

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary romantic suspense at it’s finest

Contemporary romantic suspense, sweet; series but stand alone read.
Riley’s and Tristan’s story begins when the Saint Squad (a Seal team) is helping conduct a training for law enforcement officers for hostage negotiation and active shooter scenarios. As they spend time together, they know they want forever.
Solving the active shooter and murder mystery, along with helping Riley come to terms with her past and life with a Seal made for a great read.

[Caelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a traumatic hostage situation, Riley Palmeta is thrown back into the place of her nightmares again. Co-running a training academy for local law enforcement for the prevention of random acts of terror with Navy Seal Tristan Crowther and his squad, LDS Navy SEALS. As their relationship grows things take a deadly turn. I love this book and the entire Saint Squad series. This is a good book for anyone who wants a clean romantic suspense novel that is not too short or too long. From this book you can find out a little bit about how the Seal operate in this world that Traci has created. There is nothing that I found negative about this book but that is just my opinion.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read. I decided to read this because the description reminded me of Dee Henderson's O'Malley series. This was a clean book with action, suspense, and of course, romance ... so, a little bit of everything. The ending felt a bit abrupt to me, and I think I would have preferred reading it to listening to it, but other than those things, it was a nice getaway, even focused around an intense subject.

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Again, this was a good read with just enough romance and adventure to keep me reading when I should have been doing other things. The character development could have been notched up slightly but the character growth of Riley was good to see. I like how the author noted at the beginning that this was written as therapy to do deal with the shooting at Virginia Tech. Sometimes readers forget that a book can be therapy for them and for the writer too.

[Sara Cardon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riley survived a horrendous shooting, and now she's finishing a master's degree in criminal psychology. Tristan is a Navy Seal on the team to assist with the training program for future incidents. This took so many twists and turns. Tristan and Riley's relationship is intense and sweet, based on their past experiences. Just the right amount of light and dark interspersed.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great drama with subject that needs addressed - school shootings. How the Navy Seals stick together to help each other out is food for thought. I'm sure that is the way it is in real life. I like how the author is developing each character and showing a human side to the awful situations they have to go into. Looking forward to reading the next book.

[Emily F - Seriously Sweet Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book used different points of view well, especially switching to the antagonist(s). I love the close-knit vibe of the Saint Squad! This was a potentially heavy topic that was handled very well. Lockdown was a sweet and clean romantic suspense. I would rate this PG-13 for some kissing, thematic violence, and references to school shootings, abuse, and manipulation.

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Tristan's and Riley's story! I also felt like this book introduced me to other members of the Saint Squad that I didn't get to know well in the first book of the series.

I get more immersed in this series with every book! Good thing I have book #3 right here so I can do some binge reading!